Debt Consolidation Advisors

Mississippi Debt Relief Laws

Mississippi does not have a state fair debt collection law so consumers searching for debt relief should refer to the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Some highlights include:

Collectors cannot use inappropriate or obscene language or make threats

Calls must be made between 8am and 9pm unless you specify otherwise

Calls made to you at work cannot be made if your employer disapproves

Debt collectors cannot correspond with debtors via postcard or use an envelop that indicates its from a collections agency

If you send a cease and desist letter via mail, the collector cannot contact you again except to tell you they are taking legal action against you

During communication (whether in person or by phone) creditors must state his name and not misrepresent who he works for (i.e. cannot say he is a cop or an attorney)

The debt collection agency cannot imply that you’ve committed a crime or threaten to sell your debt in an attempt to collect

You cannot be contacted by a debt collector if you are being represented by an attorney

If a consumer in Mississippi has been a victim of debt collection harassment he or she can pursue legal action by filing a complaint with the Mississippi Attorney General.

Mississippi Statue of Limitations (SOL)

Mississippi has a three-year statue of limitation (SOL) on open accounts such as credit cards, meaning that the creditor can contact you for up to three years. For written contracts creditors can also pursue you for up to three years. Consumers can consider Mississippi debt settlement during the time the account remains open.

Mississippi debt relief means that the law protects certain areas of wage garnishment. Areas that are exempt include:

Pensions and retirement benefits--Mississippi offers more protection for retirees than other states. In addition to public and state employee benefits, police, firefighter and teacher pensions are protected

Public benefits/assistance-- most public benefits including workers’ compensation, unemployment, veteran benefits, aid to families with dependent children and disability are protected

Mississippi provides insurance and annuity protection for life insurance proceeds if protection is provided within the policy

Mississippi Credit Card Debt Relief Act of 2010

The Credit Card Debt Relief Act of 2010 has streamlined the methods for repaying debt and regulated how collectors work with debtors. The Act has impacted debt relief collections several ways:

The number of fraudulent or weak performing credit card companies are gone

Reduces the chances of falling victim to fraudulent debt settlement companies due to new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reforms

Increased, open communication from creditors--more information is provided to help you eliminate your loans